Consumer Electronics

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA — Office Depot, Apple, Barnes & Noble, eBay, Limited Brands, Nordstrom, Sears, Staples and Target were among a record 252 businesses on the Human Rights Campaign’s 2013 Corporate Equality Index.

The top retailers earned the top rating of 100% as well as the recognition of being among the “Best Places to Work for LGBT Equality.” A decade ago, in the HRC’s first index, only 13 businesses earned a 100% rating.

Oxnard, Calif. -- Brixmor Property Group announced the grand opening on November 14 of a 32,906-sq.-ft. Walmart Neighborhood Market at Esplanade Shopping Center, located in Oxnard, Calif.

Walmart Neighborhood Market will be celebrating its opening only weeks following the grand opening of another new retailer at Esplanade Shopping Center, Dick’s Sporting Goods.

Philadelphia -- Pennsylvania Real Estate Investment Trust (PREIT) said that Apple has opened a new store at its Willow Grove Park property in suburban Philadelphia.

The 8,300-sq.-ft. store opened on Nov. 17, bring the total number of Apple stores in PREIT’s portfolio to four.

“The addition of Apple to this already dominant mall will further drive traffic and sales and allow us to enhance the merchandise mix and quality of the shopping experience at Willow Grove Park,” said Joseph F. Coradino, CEO, PREIT.
 

Best Buy on Tuesday continued its string of negative same store stores sales, posting a 4% decline at U.S. stores, and recorded a worse than expected profit.

Leawood, Kan. -- Glimcher Realty Trust announced that it will rename One Nineteen as Town Center Crossing. Glimcher and the owners of One Nineteen and Town Center Plaza will rebrand both centers with new logos, new signage and a shared property directory.

“Our hope by rebranding the properties is to create the Town Center district, marking one of the best retail areas outside of Kansas City,” said Marshall Loeb, president and COO, Glimcher Realty Trust.

Chino Hills, Calif. -- The Shoppes at Chino Hills is bringing Bruxie Gourmet Waffle Sandwiches, joining recent tenants Crème de la Crème Bakery, Icy-Licious shaved ice, Sleep Number bed shop, and What Lola Wants women’s apparel at the Chino Hills, Calif., shopping center.

The 375,000-sq.-ft. community/lifestyle center also features a newly expanded A&M Home Décor.

New York -- Retail sales growth in the United States will rebound from the third quarter this holiday season, but will be down on the previous  two years' robust gains, according to a new report by Moody's Investors Service. The study, "Holiday Sales Will Overcome the U.S. Fiscal Policy Grinch," also finds that earnings growth will be slightly stronger.

MOORESVILLE, N.C. — Lowe’s has named former Best Buy executive Marise Kumar SVP of strategy and modeling. In her new capacity, Kumar will report to Robert J. Gfeller, customer experience design executive.

Kumar will identify opportunities that positively impact the customer experience. She will work closely with leaders in customer experience and across the organization to ensure opportunities are practical, financially valid and create a compelling experience for customers across all channels.